MOPD Director

Angel PonceAngel Ponce serves as the Director of the City of Houston Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD), bringing forth a wealth of experience in advocacy and government spanning 13 years within city governance. In 2004, following a spinal cord injury resulting from a vehicular accident, Ponce transitioned to life as a wheelchair user.

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Sr. Staff Analyst

John SerranoJohn Serranoassumes the role of Senior Staff Analyst for the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, he is a native New Yorker but a Houstonian at heart. Over the course of his distinguished 9-year career with the City of Houston, John has demonstrated his proficiency in managing various technology and public infrastructure projects and programs for ARA, HPD, and HPW.

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Sr. Community Outreach

Stephanie HaechtenStephanie Haechten assumes the role of Senior Community Outreach Coordinator for the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, leveraging a distinguished background in special education, not-for-profit leadership, and strategic planning.

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Sr. Comm. Specialist

Reynaldo HerreraReynaldo Herrera holds the position of Senior Communications Specialist for the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, overseeing communication initiatives for the largest community in the heart of Houston. With an extensive background, Reynaldo has dedicated over a decade to working with the Deaf community, continually honing his skills to better serve their needs.

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Community Engagement

Kayla CochraneKayla Cochrane serves as the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, bringing forth a robust background in community organization, public engagement, and affordable housing.

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Community Liaison

Sissel CarlsenSissel Carlsen serves as the Community Liaison for the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. A graduate of the University of Houston, Sissel cultivated her skills and nurtured her passion for social justice during her academic journey.

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Sr. Office Asst.

Amanda BoydAmanda Boyd serves as the Senior Office Assistant for the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. With six years of dedicated experience in City Government, she adeptly applies her skills in advocacy and community engagement to contribute meaningfully to her role.

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Program Assistant

Hilary PircherHilary Pircher currently serves as the Program Assistant at the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, boasting an extensive background of 8 years in the realm of non-profit administration and education. Her professional journey has encompassed a dedicated 4-year tenure focused on students with disabilities.

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Hilary's Service Dog

DataData II serves as Hilary's Service Dog, meticulously trained by Canine Companions for Independence to provide invaluable assistance with physical tasks. Demonstrating an impressive repertoire of 40 commands, Data II plays a pivotal role in enhancing Hilary's ability to navigate various aspects of daily life.

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